Disclaimer: I have been a professional painter and artisan since 1967.
Painting anything from a U.S. Navy Destroyer to a small Matchbox car.
Started out just whittling with a pocket knife, developing and honing my skills as I gained experience.
21 years in the U.S. Navy exposed me to many different aspects of fabrication, preservation and painting.
After the Navy, I worked for Lockheed-Martin Aerospace for 7 years as a custom woodworker and metal fabricator.
I started carving and painting signs as a hobby probably back in the late '60s. Again, learning on my own.
in 1987, I stumbled upon a "sign makers course" in Columbia, SC for a weekend symposium, $400.
wow - that set me on fire !! Learning from the "experts" all about paints and techniques.
in 1989, I attended a 5 day course of "handcrafting dimensional signs". $1800. What materials to use,
and again, preparation, priming and painting to achieve long lasting results.
Over the years, my skills developed exponentially. Working in many mediums, it just came natural.
After Lockheed Martin, I opened my own Custom Sign Shop in St. Marys, GA and ran it for over 20 years.
My skills in painting and carving developed to the point that I was sought out to teach others. So, in time,
I became an instructor as an artisan, traveling around the United States giving the same weekend workshops
that I had learned from. As a sign painter, we learn many "unorthodox" methods of applying paints and
coatings to a number of substrates. Metal, wood, plastic, etc.
Such as, on a hot sunny day, and you have to letter a truck outside in the sun, add a few drops of kerosene
to your paint. Kerosene does not evaporate, thus giving you some "slip" to your brush. Too much kerosene
(or any additive) and the paint will NEVER dry. This only comes from experience and education.
okay, now to the subject of HOW TO PAINT YOUR BOAT
Since being a member of Tin Boats, I see so many people trying to paint their boat as if it were a Rolls Royce
that will always be on display in the Smithsonian. I grit my teeth so many times to keep myself from yelling
IT IS ONLY A BOAT !!! Paint it and GO FISHING !!! But, this comes from my many years of paint it, get it done
and get it out the door. But, I do remember my first boat...... and I did make it nice and pretty. So I do understand
the mindset of first time boaters asking the mundane questions of "how do I paint my boat"......
It boils down to this . . .
Paint manufacturers have spent years and millions of dollars perfecting their product. So, my suggestion is simple:
FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS on the can, and you can't go wrong. When it comes to metal primers,
that also is another whole different world. There are some paints that are toxic to self etching primers.
Mostly, in the automotive paints..... So if you just stick with the K.I.S. (keep it simple) you will have good results.
Each and every sign painter I know, has their own way of doing things and their own formulas for paints to suit
their particular applications. There is no “right answer” to every situation. As there will be different ways to
paint anything from New York to Oregon to Florida.
The following photos are some of the projects that I have done over the years. Some are just painted wood,
plastic, cast metal, etc ….. But, all were painted with a BRUSH. Using basically the same “painting process” .
When a sign painter paints something, it is usually meant to last several years before it needs a repaint.
So proper surface preparation is essential to a good looking finish coat. Your boat included.
Remove any loose or flaking paint. Remove all oils and contaminants. Scuff/sand any smooth glossy areas
of paint that is sound and not flaking for good adhesion.
Apply a primer of your choice. Apply a topcoat of your choice. and GO BOATING !!!
Painting and fabricating things is my HOBBY !! I like tinkering, restoring, auto body work, painting houses,
home renovations, but, BOATING and anything to do with boating is my passion.
Have FUN - be SAFE
Painting anything from a U.S. Navy Destroyer to a small Matchbox car.
Started out just whittling with a pocket knife, developing and honing my skills as I gained experience.
21 years in the U.S. Navy exposed me to many different aspects of fabrication, preservation and painting.
After the Navy, I worked for Lockheed-Martin Aerospace for 7 years as a custom woodworker and metal fabricator.
I started carving and painting signs as a hobby probably back in the late '60s. Again, learning on my own.
in 1987, I stumbled upon a "sign makers course" in Columbia, SC for a weekend symposium, $400.
wow - that set me on fire !! Learning from the "experts" all about paints and techniques.
in 1989, I attended a 5 day course of "handcrafting dimensional signs". $1800. What materials to use,
and again, preparation, priming and painting to achieve long lasting results.
Over the years, my skills developed exponentially. Working in many mediums, it just came natural.
After Lockheed Martin, I opened my own Custom Sign Shop in St. Marys, GA and ran it for over 20 years.
My skills in painting and carving developed to the point that I was sought out to teach others. So, in time,
I became an instructor as an artisan, traveling around the United States giving the same weekend workshops
that I had learned from. As a sign painter, we learn many "unorthodox" methods of applying paints and
coatings to a number of substrates. Metal, wood, plastic, etc.
Such as, on a hot sunny day, and you have to letter a truck outside in the sun, add a few drops of kerosene
to your paint. Kerosene does not evaporate, thus giving you some "slip" to your brush. Too much kerosene
(or any additive) and the paint will NEVER dry. This only comes from experience and education.
okay, now to the subject of HOW TO PAINT YOUR BOAT
Since being a member of Tin Boats, I see so many people trying to paint their boat as if it were a Rolls Royce
that will always be on display in the Smithsonian. I grit my teeth so many times to keep myself from yelling
IT IS ONLY A BOAT !!! Paint it and GO FISHING !!! But, this comes from my many years of paint it, get it done
and get it out the door. But, I do remember my first boat...... and I did make it nice and pretty. So I do understand
the mindset of first time boaters asking the mundane questions of "how do I paint my boat"......
It boils down to this . . .
Paint manufacturers have spent years and millions of dollars perfecting their product. So, my suggestion is simple:
FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS on the can, and you can't go wrong. When it comes to metal primers,
that also is another whole different world. There are some paints that are toxic to self etching primers.
Mostly, in the automotive paints..... So if you just stick with the K.I.S. (keep it simple) you will have good results.
Each and every sign painter I know, has their own way of doing things and their own formulas for paints to suit
their particular applications. There is no “right answer” to every situation. As there will be different ways to
paint anything from New York to Oregon to Florida.
The following photos are some of the projects that I have done over the years. Some are just painted wood,
plastic, cast metal, etc ….. But, all were painted with a BRUSH. Using basically the same “painting process” .
When a sign painter paints something, it is usually meant to last several years before it needs a repaint.
So proper surface preparation is essential to a good looking finish coat. Your boat included.
Remove any loose or flaking paint. Remove all oils and contaminants. Scuff/sand any smooth glossy areas
of paint that is sound and not flaking for good adhesion.
Apply a primer of your choice. Apply a topcoat of your choice. and GO BOATING !!!
Painting and fabricating things is my HOBBY !! I like tinkering, restoring, auto body work, painting houses,
home renovations, but, BOATING and anything to do with boating is my passion.
Have FUN - be SAFE
